18 LGUs so far have signed MOU for national housing program — DHSUD

A total of 18 local government units so far have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the implementation of the national housing program, the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) said Wednesday.

At a public briefing, DHSUD Undersecretary Avelino Tolentino III said that MOU is for the Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino Program, which aims to provide 6 million houses in six years.

“Meron po kaming existing memorandum of understanding with 18 LGUs (We have an existing MOU with 18 LGUs). We have groundbreakings in nine cities,” Tolentino said.

Tolentino said the program aims to provide cheap housing. Under the program, not only the beneficiaries, but the national government and the local government units will also pay for the housing units.

Earlier, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. said he will sign an executive order (EO) reserving state-owned lands that have remained idle for use of housing projects.

Tolentino said the EO will also help cut the cost of building the housing units as the Department is eyeing to use 16,000 hectares of idle government lands.

The DHSUD is seeking a P36-billion interest subsidy every year to go towards solving the six million units backlog in housing production. — Joviland Rita/RSJ, GMA Integrated News